The beginning of the Middle Helladic period was initially linked to the destruction or the abandonment of Early Helladic settlements. This was appreciated as a significant cultural innovation. But, as proved by more recent studies, these destructions had taken place already during the Early Helladic period, particularly toward the end of the Early Helladic II (2300 BC). Habitation in the settlements that were occupied until the end of the Early Helladic period continued normally while during the Middle Helladic period many new settlements were founded in sites similar to those preferred in the Early Bronze Age.

Town planning as well seems to have evolved normally from the Early Helladic period. In the Middle Helladic settlements we can sometimes distinguish at least three building periods as well as more short periods of extensions and building repairs. The building of the so-called apsidal houses of the Early Helladic III period continued while new building shapes were created having as a basic building unit the rectangular rooms with interior divisions. There are also buildings larger than the average size but no buildings with particular traits that could be characterized as administrative centres, such as the so-called "Corridor Houses" of the Early Helladic II period, have been indicated. Usually, the Middle Helladic settlements had no fortification walls and only in some cases do fortifications occur.

Toward the end of the Middle Helladic period many settlements were abandoned and cemeteries. were founded in their place. This phenomenon occurs at such an extent that our knowledge on the next period, the so-called "Shaft Grave period", derives exclusively from the cemeteries and not from settlements. We ignore completely the place and the form of the settlements of that period. The reasons that caused such an extensive phenomenon remain unknown but are sought in the more general social and economic changes which took place during the early Mycenaean period.